Photo: Adrianna Hall for iHeartRadio
David Archuleta shared his heartfelt wish for LGBTQ+ youth while performing at iHeartRadio’s Can’t Cancel Pride 2024.
Prior to his performance, Archuleta gave an emotional speech about struggling with how his queer identity conflicted with teachings he learned in his Mormon faith, culminating in him ultimately deciding to leave the church. When that choice became public and he hadn’t heard from his mother, Lupe, for a few days, he worried that he “pissed her off.” However, his mother sent him a powerful message that she was also leaving the church and that “if you go to Hell, we’re all going to Hell with you.”
The “Crush” singer also gave a shoutout to his mom, who was in the audience, as the crowd erupted in loud cheers and he told her, “I love you, mom, and thanks for standing up for me.”
Photo: Getty Images for iHeartRadio
“What I wish for all the LGBTQ youth out there is a parent or a chosen family that can give you unconditional love and support,” he added.
The conversation with his mother inspired his song “Hell Together,” which dropped earlier this year and included a music video that features home videos from his childhood interspersed with a woman dancing along the aisles of a church.
His performance at Can’t Cancel Pride kept that emotional vulnerability and acceptance at the forefront. Holding center stage, Archuleta sang about being “afraid of letting go of the version of me that I used to know” while a dancer moved around the stage interpreting the emotions he experienced throughout his journey.
Photo: Getty Images for iHeartRadioPhoto: Adrianna Hall for iHeartRadio
Can’t Cancel Pride 2024 was hosted by Tony Award winner Billy Porter, who not only pulled double duty as host and performer but was the recipient of this year’s Elton John Impact Award honoring his activism and fight for equity and liberation for marginalized people around the world. In addition to Archuletta, other performers throughout the night include Meghan Trainor, Ben Platt, Melissa Etheridge, Victoria Monét, RAYE, Orville Peck and Allison Russell.
